After falling early in its series against Arizona, Cal strung together two come-from-behind wins to notch its first Pac-12 series win of the season.
No. 19 Cal hosted and defeated No. 21 Arizona for its first Pac-12 series win of the season.
After dropping the first game 5-9, the Bears found themselves on the verge of losing yet another series against a conference opponent. Falling 5-0 in the fourth inning of Game 2, Cal saved its best for last, blasting three home runs in the final inning to send the game to extra innings.
In what could be considered her Kodak moment, Kaylee Pond walked the Bears off with an RBI to steal Game 2 from the Wildcats.
“It was almost kind of reassuring that the softball gods were in our favor. It’s not that we necessarily changed much, but coming off two series losses, us being coming back in that game with two outs just really carried momentum over into the third game,” Pond said.
Down early in the series finale, Pond didn’t wait until the ninth to get Cal on the board, but instead drove her fourth home run of the season in the first to get the Bears rolling.
Cal connected on a series-high 11 hits to squeeze an 8-7 victory over Arizona.
“Us getting the second game win is just huge. Coach (Spencer) always talks about how the second game is the momentum game, and it's the most important game in the series. It’s the game where you either win the series or (lose it),” Pond said.
“We have this concept of ‘Just pass the bat.’ Our entire lineup is having great success right now at the plate, and if one person doesn't get the job done, the next one will.”
The Bears now move to 24-8 on the season, and a road trip to Utah is up next.
Cal will visit Ogden for a nonconference matchup against Weber State (12-15) on Wednesday, before going to the state capital for a Pac-12 clash with the Utes (17-14) over the weekend.
Pond and the Bears will look to increase their two-game winning streak, but how will they remain hot amongst the cold mountains of Utah?
“Hand warmers,” Pond said humorously.
For the Iowa State transfer, working with her coaching staff, watching film, finding ways to adjust and battling in practice have made the recipe for success.
“I set up a pitching machine for that exact same pitch and that’s all I hammer … In a series where you're facing the same pitchers, it’s about making constant adjustments. So you can't come in with the same approach,” Pond said. “Figure out where they're attacking you and don't let that be the same way they get you out … As far as Utah goes, I already set up a pitching machine that emulates their pitchers.”
As well as Pond has played this season, Cal’s freshmen have pulled their weights as well, highlighted through the play of Lagi Quiroga, Alyssa Hererra and Randi Roelling.
Catchers Quiroga and Hererra have locked down one of the toughest positions in the diamond and have performed above standards in the box with combined stats of 10 home runs, 24 runs and 41 hits.
Roelling has been exceptional, earning the ace role and leading the bullpen in strikeouts (63), innings pitched (82) and wins (9).
“Coach (Spencer) says ‘You're in this spot for a reason,’ and I just can't say that enough for these freshmen. They came out hungry and now they're balling … I absolutely love it,” Pond said.
Cal, looking like its early-season self again, will look to remain in “attack mode” as it is keen on securing its second straight conference series win.
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